Admission to prestigious colleges is challenging. The challenges come from the high volume of applicants received by the admission committee. They also have a holistic admission process, assessing more than just the grades, meaning they take the selected few. Furthermore, they, at times, prioritize legacy applicants or those with significant financial donations. You must go above and beyond for a chance. One of the things you must do is craft an outstanding admission essay. Here is how to make those essays count.
Start with a Captivating Hook
A captivating hook is a must when writing an admission essay for a college with lowest acceptance rate. The best way to go about it is, to begin with a vivid anecdote or an intriguing question. A thought-provoking question can also draw the reader in if you get it right. It'd be best to avoid generic openings. Ensure your essay stands out for its memorable introduction. A strong hook will ensure the admission officers read further out of genuine interest.
Demonstrate Your Qualities
Writing about your qualities won't cut it when it comes to this essay. You must demonstrate them by telling a story that highlights your actions and emotions. The story should also show the impact of your qualities and how they came about. This will allow the admission officers to see your character in action. Identifying a specific instance, like a volunteer experience, would be best. While describing it, use vivid descriptions and reflect on what you learned.
Focus on a Specific Theme
Straying from the main theme is another common mistake college applicants make. Ensure you avoid doing so by focusing on a specific theme instead of cramming multiple achievements. For instance, if resilience is your theme, choose a defining story that vividly illustrates the theme. You will then reflect on the life experience that showed how resilient you are. Use supporting details, such as a research project that you initiated, to learn more about the experience. Don't overcomplicate or give a chronology, as the essay should be long enough to give relevant information and save time.
Be Authentic
Authenticity is important when crafting this essay. As much as you can make up stories that you think the admission committee would like to hear, don't do so. Share your genuine experience regardless of how ordinary it looks. Doing so will help demonstrate your self-awareness and help you stand out. Note that the committee can pick inconsistency in your story or overly dramatic claims.
Balance Confidence with Humility
Although showing your achievements while applying for a college with lowest acceptance rate is important, you should be humble. Avoid coming out as boastful. You can do so by focusing on personal growth. Instead of just listing your achievements, focus on how you've grown from the experiences. It'd be best to also acknowledge the contribution of others by using the pronoun 'we' more. While at it, avoid over-exaggeration.
There you have them: the ways to make your essay stand out. Note that everyone is writing their essay the normal way, going on and on about themselves and their achievements. Craft yours in a way that the college admissions office can consider you after reading it.
